Injectabte Composite Hydrogels for Orthopaedic Applications. Mechanical and Morphological Analysis

摘要

The large number of orthopaedic procedures performed arthoscopically each year, has lead to a great interest in injectable biodegradable materials for bone regeneration. In this study a composite hydrogel has been prepared with Calcium Phosphate particles (H-cement) reinforcing hydrophilic matrix of Poly-VinylAlcohol (PVA). The composite material has demonstrated good mechanical properties, in the range of spongious natural bone and they can be employed as a substitute material. Mixing the ceramic phase with the organic matrix, an easy-handling injectable paste has been obtained. The composite hydrogel is also a self-setting system: the a-TCP setting and hardening reaction occurs thanks to the water contained in the PVA matrix showing higher mechanical properties than the system prepared with the traditional methodology.